Speed-gage.



L. A. UASGRAIN.

SPEED GAGE.

APPMGATION FILED DEG.8,1906.

Patented June 28, 1910.

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L, A, CSGRAN.

SPEED GAGE. APPLICATION FILED DBG. 8, 1906.

962,622, Patented June 28, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2y www?? CMM mi@ www UNTED STATES TATENT OFFCE@ LOUIS A.CASGRAIN, OF BEVERLY, lvIASSAC-IUSETTS.

SPEED-GAGE.

Application To all Awhom it may concern:

Be it knovvn that l, Lotus A. citizen of the United States, residing atBeverly, in the. county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented certain neuT and useful linproveinents in Speed-Gages; and ldohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as Will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to inake and use the saine.

The present invention relates particularly to speed gages adapted foruse on antoniobiles and other vehicles, and its principal object is toincrease the facility with which the indications of such devices inay beread.

@n a fast inoving vehicle the reading of the ordina ry speed gages anddistance recorders is diflicult ovving to the fact that the vibrationsof the vehicle obscure the sinall iignres and fine graduations usuallyused on such instruments.

@ne object of the present invention therefore is to produce a speed gageof such inechanical construction that a long series of unusually largegraduations inay be used Without unduly increasing the size of theinstruinent, so that the indications may be read with ease froin adistance and under the inost adverse conditions.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange the indicating devicesthat they may be ad; usted to be read frorn any desired angle accordingto the location of the instrunient or the other circumstances of eachparticular case.

Other objects of the invention Will be noted in connection with thedescription of the illustrated embodiment thereof.

The invention consists in the iniproved speed gage hereinafterdescribed, as defined in the clainis.

1n the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of a speed gage embodyingthe present invention. Fig. Q is a vertical median section from thesaine point of view. Fig. 8 is a transverse section looking from left toright on the line rfv-m Fig. 2. Fig. et is a horizontal section, lookingfroin beneath, of the right-hand portion of the instrument. Fig. 5 is avertical section looking from right to left on the line j1/--y, F ig.4;, and Fig. 6 is a transverse section illustrating a modification ofthe invention.

The illustrated einbodiinent of the invention is a speed gage adapted tobe used on CAsGRsrN, a

Speccation of Letters Patent.

l l l Patented J une 28, 1910.

filed December S, 19136.- cerial No. 245,544.

an automobile, being secured to the dash board or other convenient partthereof and connected With one of the Wheels by a fiexible shaft in theusual inanner.

The instrument conibines With the speedindicating inechanisin a distancerecording device or odometer as is connnon in such instruinents.

The speed indicator illustrated consists of a cylindrical druni 1carried upon a bearing sleeve 2 Which is free to rotate. The sleeve 2 isjournaled upon a hollow shaft E3 and both the sleeve and shaft areprovided With helical grooves et in Which are located antifriction balls5, held in position by a perforated sleeve 6 which is loosely locatedbetween the sleeve 2 and shaft 3 and serves as a ball retainer. rfhisconstruction is such that if the indicator drinn 1 be rotated, theballs, acting in the helical grooves, will cause it to simultaneouslyinove to the left along the shaft 3 so that every point in the surfaceof the indicator druni inoves in a helical path.

The indicator' druin is nornially held in its right-hand position, asshown in Fig. 2, by a spiral spring .7 of ivhich one end is connected tothe indicator and the other is connected to a relatively fixed parthereinafter described. This spring increases its force with thelongitudinal and rotating movement of the indicator, so thatproportionally increasing force is necessary to inove the indicatorthrough different distances and to hold it in the positions which itattains.

The indicator is rotated by ineans of a suitable operating fluid ivithwhich it is filled and in Which it is innnersed. This fluid niay be oil,such as kerosene, or other suitable fluid, and it is caused to rotate bymeans of vanes 8 on a bevel gear Wheel 9, Which is journaledconcentrically with the shaft 3. The gear wheel 9 engages a gear 10which is at the bottoni of the depending driving sleeve 11. The sleeve11 is fixed to the upper end of the drive shaft 12 journaled in abearing sleeve 13. The shaft 12 is connected in the usual manner With aflexible shaft by which it is rotated at speeds proportionate to thoseof the vehicle. By these ineans the operating fluid is caused to rotateWithin the indicator drinn at a speed proportionate to the speed of thevehicle, and in order that the rotating fluid may drag the indicatoraround with it, the latter is provided with longitudinal baffles 1liupon its* interior surface, these baffles being integral with flat arms15 by which the indicating drum is fixed to the bearing lsleeve 2. Inthis manner the indicator drinn is caused to rotate and movelongitudinally a distance proportionate to the speed of the vehicle, andthen comes to rest when the increasing resistance of the spring balancesthe drag of the rotating iiuid.

The graduations are arranged in a helix and are marked upon the exteriorsurface of the indicator drum 1 in suoli a way that as the indicatorrotates and moves longitudinally successive graduations are broughtopposite to a fixed point. t

The indicating mechanism is iiiclosed and carried by a casing comprisinga fixed part 16 and two relatively-movable parts 17 and 18. The fixedpart 16 carries the bearing sleeve 13 in which the shaft 12 rotates, andthis sleeve extends upward, as shown in Fig. 2, above the level of theoperating fluid, so as to prevent the escape thereof through thebearing. The part 17 of the casing is cylindrical and is connected withthe part 16 by a screw-threaded rod 19 screwed into the part 16 andengaging a nut 2O at the end of the part 17. The hollow shaft 3 is alsoxed in the casing member 17, and the spring 7 is connected therewith atone end, as shown in Fig. 2. The casing member 17 is provided with awindow 21 through which the graduations on the indicator drinn may beseen, and to preventthe escape of uid through this window a glass tube22 is located within the casing member 17 and engages packing rings 23at each end. At each side of the window 21 is a pointer 24 to indicatethe significant figure of the graduations.

The construction above described is such that by loosening the nut 2Othe casing member 17 may be rotated with respect to the member 16 tochange the position of the window 21, so that'the window may be visiblefrom diiferent angles to suit the convenience of the user according tothe position in which the instrument is located in the vehicle. It willbe noted that in so doing the accuracy of the instrument is not in anydegree affected, owing to the fact that the spring 7 and the hollowshaft 3 are connected with the casing member 17, while the actuatingmechanism, comprising the gears 9 and 10, is not disturbed, owing to theconcentric arrangement of the gear y9 and the casing member 17.

In order to afford an ample bearing for the gear 9 it is provided withan extended tube or sleeve 25 embracing the screwthreaded rod 19.

The casing member 18, which contains the odometer is separated from theremainder of the casing by a partition 26 formed in the xed part 16. Theodometer may be of any suitable form and need not be specicallydescribed. It is arranged to be read through windows 27 and 28 in thecasing member 18, and is actuated, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, through atrain of mechanism comprising a worm 29 on the drive.

shaft 12, a worm wheel 30 on a horizontal shaft 31 journaled in thecasing member 16, a pinion 32 on the shaft 31 engaging a gear wheel 33,and a pinion 34 connected with the mechanism of the odometer and meshingwith the gear 33. The gear 33 is journaled upon a threaded rod 35 bywhich the casing member 18 is secured in place, the outer end of the rodengaging a nut 36 at the end of the casing member. The constructionabove described is such that by loosening the nut 36 the casing member18 together with the odometer may be rotated with respect to the iixedcasing member 16 to adjust it in the same manner as the casing member 17is adjusted.

A thimble 37 screwed into the upper part of the casing member 16incloses the upper end of the shaft 12 and the sleeves 11 and 13.

The fixed casing member 16 is mounted upon the vehicle by means of asuitable bracket screwed into a threaded hole 38 at the back of thecasing.

It is customary to illuminate the dials of speed gages for conveniencein using them at night, the lights used for this purpose being usuallymounted in hoods located above-or in front of the dials so as to throwthe light upon them. In the present invention an arrangement is providedby which the gi'aduations may be illuminated without any exterior sourceof illumination, thereby avoiding the reflection of the light from theexterior section of the glass window and the unsightly and inconvenientprojection of the illuminating device above or in front of the window.To this end the casing member 17 is provided at its rear and lowerportion with a projecting thimble 40 in which an electric light 41 islocated. This light shines through the glass tube 22 and through thetransparent body of operating fluid and also through the indicator drum1, which is made of some suitable transparent material such asCelluloid, or provided with transparent portions at the graduations, sothat the portion of the indicator visible through the window isilluminated and rendered visible in the dark by transmitted light andnot by reflected light in the ordinary manner. The projection 40 inwhich the light is located, being at the back of the instrument is notvisible and does not have the usual unsightly portions of such devices.

The ball bearing upon which the indicator drum is mounted permits it tomove with the greatest freedom both rotatably and horizontally therebeing no sliding contact except the very light Contact between the ballretainer and the balls. As the indicator rotates the retainer and theballs are screwed out of the sleeve 2 but not suiiiciently to interferewith the operation of the device and upon the return of the indicator itis screwed back in again. A stop pin 42 on the shaft 3 limits themovement of the ball retainer.

The mechanism above described by which the indicator is rotated,comprising the baffies lst., the operating fluid and the paddles 8 isthat which is preferably used. Other means may however, be used forproducing a drag or torsional force to. rotate the indicator. rihus, forexample, the indicator may be made of suitable metal and a rotatingmagnet 43 may be used as shown in F ig. 6 to produce a magnetic dragupon the indicator. rlhe arrangement hereinbefore described is preferredhowever, since it not only provides what the inventor considers thepreferable means for rotating the indicator but the operating fluidserves also to lubricate the parts and to protectthem from rust and alsoto deaden the vibrations imparted to the instrument from the vehicle.

By the use of a helical series of graduations suilicient space isafforded to have a separate graduation, large and easily visible, forevery mile from l to 5() or more miles per hour of speed.

The invention is not limited to the details of construction andoperation of the illustated embodiment but may be embodied in otherforms broadly deined in the claims.

Having now described the invention, what claimed is l. A speed gagehaving, in combination, a. rotary indicator provided with a series ofgraduations to indicate a given range of speeds extending` around theindicator aplurality of times, means actuated by the object of which thespeed is to be indicated for exerting a rotative force on the indicatorvarying with the speed of the object, and a spring acting on theindicator in opposition to said rotative force, constructed and arrangedto permit the indicator to malte a plurality of revolutions as the speedof the object varies through the range for which the indicator isdesigned and cooperating with said force to bring each graduationopposite a lixed point as the object attains the speed indicated by thegraduation, substantially as described.

2. A. speed gage having, in combination, a cylindrical indicatorarranged to rotate and move longitudinally and provided upon its surfacewith a helical series of graduations arranged to register successivelywith a fixed point, and means for rotating the indicator and means forsimultaneously moving the indicator' longitudinally to cause thegraduations to register successively with said point as the speed of theobject, the speed of which is to be indicated, varies, substantially asdescribed.

3. A speed gage having, in combination, a casing provided with a window,a cylindrical indicator arranged to rotate and move longitudinallywithin the casing and provided upon its surface with series ofgraduations arranged helically so as to register successively with thewindow, and means for rotating the indicator and means forsimultaneously moving the indicator longitudinally to cause thegraduations to register successively with said window as the speed ofthe object, the speed of which is to be indicated, varies, substantiallyas described.

4l. A speed gage, having, in combination, a cylindrical indicator, meansfor imparting to the indicator a force varying with the speed to beindicated, means whereby the indicator is caused to simultaneouslyrotate and move axially under the influence of said force and a springconnected with the indicator to resist such movement, substantially asdescribed.

5. A speed gage, having, in combination, an indicator mounted on ascrew-threaded axis so as to move longitudinally as it is rotatedthereon and means actuated by the object of which the speed is to beindicated for imparting rotary movement to the indicator varying inextent with the speed of the object, substantially as described.

G. speed gage having, in combination, an indicator provided with asleeve having an internal helical groove, a shaft on which the ismounted provided with a spiral groove, and antifriction balls interposedbetween the sleeve and the shaft and seated in the grooves,substantially as described.

T. A speed gage having, in combination, an indicator provided with asleeve having an internal helical groove, a shaft on which the sleeve ismounted provided with a spiral groove, anti-friction balls between thesleeve and shaft and seated in the grooves, and a ball cagelongitudinally movable with relation to the sleeve and shaft between thesleeve and the shaft to hold the balls in place, substantially asdescribed.

8. A speed gage having, in combination, a casing, indicating mechanismand operating liuid therein, a drive shaft for actuating the mechanismentering the bottom of the casing and a bearing sleeve for the shaftextending from the bottom of the casing to a point above the level ofthe operating fluid, to prevent the escape of liuid through the bearing,substantially as described.

9. A speed gage having, in combination, a casing, indicating mechanismand operate ing fluid therein, a drive shaft entering the bottom of thecasing, a bearing sleeve therelOO llO

for extending from the bottom of the casing to a point above the levelof the operating fluid, a driving sleeve fixed to the top of' the shaftand depending about the bearing sleeve, and a bevel gear carried by thedriving sleeve for actuating the indicating mechanism, substantially asdescribed.

10. A speed gage having, in combination, a casing comprising a fixedpart and a relatively movable part provided with a reading aperture, andindicating mechanism carried by the movable part and movable back of theaperture so as to be read therethrough, said part being movable tochange the position of the indicating devices without interfering withtheir operation, so as to permit the instrument to be read from thedesired direction, substantially as described.

11. A speed gage having, in combination, a casing comprising a fixedpart and a relatively movable part provided with a reading aperture,actuating mechanism mounted in the fixed part, and an indicatorrotatably mounted in the movable part and movable back of the apertureso as to be read therethrough, the movable part being rotatable aboutthe aXis of rotation of the indicator to change the direction from whichthe instrument may be read, substantially as described.

12. A speed gage having, in combination, a casing, a hollow cylindricalindicator, inwardly-extending baffles on the interior of the indicator,a fluid filling the interior of the indicator, a rotating device withinthe indicator for imparting rotary motion to the fluid, actuatingconnections between said device and the object the speed of which is tobe measured, and means for causing the indicator to move axially whenrotated, substantially as described.

13. A speed gage having, in combination, a casing provided with awindow, a cylindrical indicator provided with a series ofl graduationsto indicate a given range of speed extending around its cylindricalSurface a plurality of times, mea-ns actuated by the object of which thespeed is to be indirange for which the indicator is designed andcooperating .With said force to bring each graduation opposite saidwindow as the object attains the speed indicated by the graduation,substantially as described.

14. A speed gage, having, in combination, a cylindrical indicatorarranged to rotate and move longitudinally and provided upon its surfacewith a series of graduations eX- tending around its cylindrical surfacea plurality of times arranged to register successively with a fixedpoint and means for rotating the indicator and means for moving itlongitudinally to bring said graduations into register successively withsaid point as the speed of the object the speed of which is to beindicated varies, one of said means depending for operation on theaction of' the ether, substantially as described.

15. A speed gage having, in combination a casing provided with a Window,a cylindrical indicator arranged to rotate and move longitudinallywithin the casing and provided upon its surface with a series ofgraduations extending around its cylindrical surface a plurality oftimes arranged to register successively with the window and means forrotating the indicator and means for moving it longitudinally to bringsaid graduations successively into register with said Window as thespeed of the object the speed of Which is to be indicated varies, one ofsaid means depending for operation on the action of the other,substantially as described.

In testimony whereofI I afiiX my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

LOUIS A. CASGRAIN. Witnesses:

FRED O. FISH, FARNUu F. DoRsEY.

